Journal lubricating device



Oct. 2, 1945. v E. c. .lvEFlf-ERS4 ETAL l2,386,121

JOURNAL v LURI CAT I NG DEVI GE Filed Oct. 16, 1943' i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ...m auf' LA oef. 2, 1945.

Y l E. c. JEFFERS E'r AL 1 JOURNAL LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed oct. 16, 194s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 2, 1945 JOURNAL LUBRICATING -DEvrcE Edward C. Jeffers aiid lllartin C. Jeffers, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 16, 1943, Serial No. 506,478

11 Claims. (Cl. 308-88) The present invention relates to lubricating devices for journals or axles, such as those of railway vehicles, and the like.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel lubricating device for journals, which `l.

invention the device comprises a thick sheet of porous material, such as felt, any woven or matted ductile, non-abrasive metal fibers, and the like, having a base section or segment adapted to repose in the oil or lubricant at the bottom of the journal box, such as the well thereof, and

an overlying upwardly extending section or segment for having pressed wiping contact with the `axle or journal, forming a dihedral angle between the segments, the segments being connected to pressing elements, such as relatively .stiff plates or sheets, of which the plate on the lower segment acts to hold the lower segment in the lower part of the journal box and in the oil or lubricant, and the other plate on the other segment acts to press the latter segment against the axle or journal for `constantly supplying the oil or lubricant to the axle or journal and to maintain it effectively and eiliciently lubricated. To the plates are connected resilient elements, such .as dat springs, for constantly and resiliently pressing the lubricant supplying segment to and against the journal and incidentally away from the base segment on the bottom of the journal box. The span or lap of the lubricant applying segment between its juncture with the base segment and its upper part, which is attached to the pressing plate, is free so as to flex and conform in shape to the circular` contour of the journal being supplied with. thev lubricant from such segment when pressed to the journal by the pressing plate. This provides for a wider area of distribution of the lubricant on the journal.`

The length of the lubricant applying segment is approximately the length of the bearing part of the journal so as to supply suicient and ample lubricant to the journal throughout the length of the bearing part thereof.

The invention also comprehends the provision of novel means for eliminating or preventing the loss ofqlubricant from splashing or surging of ll knitted fabric which is preferably thick, asbestos,

the lubricant in the journal box and has a fibrous orsimilar pad or pads or the-like located to intercept the splashed or surging oil or lubricant and to assist in applying lubricant to the journal, as at the inner end of the journal and the supply segment pressing against the journal.V

Other objects, advantages, capabilities, features and the like are comprehended by the in vention as .will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention; j

Referring brieiiy` to the drawings: A

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View through a journal box embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken in a plane represented by line 2&2 in Fig.` l of the drawings;

Fig. 3` is a transverse sectional view of part of the lubricatingde'vice;

Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof the same;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken in a plane represented by line vi-5 in Fig. 3 of the drawings;`

Fig. `6 vis a perspective'view of part ofthe device for eliminating'loss of lubricant from splashing or the likej y Fig. `7 'isa view in elevation of part of the device for preventing accessoffcreign material to 'the journal;

` FigQB is a transverse sectional view of the same taken in a plane represented by line 8-8 in Fig. rI ofthe drawings; u',

Fig. 9Y is a transverse sectional` view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 4oi an alternative form of the device; and

Fig. l0 is a part transverse sectional view of u the same similar to the view shown in Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the embodiments selected to illustrate the invention are shown inuse with a journal I extending into a journal box 2 and bearing against a journal bearing block .3, and as comprehending a thick sheet of porous fibrous material having a lower or base segment 4` and an upper or pressing segment 5, the segments 4 vand 5 forming a sort of dihedral angle as shown. V On the base `segment 4 is' disposed a plate 6 of stii material, such 'as metal, connected to the segment llbyany suitable securing means 1, such I as a rivetor the like, and the plate 6 may have at a side thereof a depending flange 8 to give lateral support to the `edge of the segment 4, as shown,

' andthe plate 6 has at the other side thereof an 4upwardly extending flange 9 which is preferably at an angle to the plate of less than To an endof the plate 6 is connected a bail1 I0 provided with eyes I I hooked through holes I2 provided at said end of the plate 5, as shown best in Fig. 4.

The upper part of the segment has a folded or bent back or reilexed portion I3 to act as a spacing pad or the like. To this pad I3 is secured the upper part of a pressing plate I4 by means of members I6 being secured to the flange 9, preferably at the outer side thereof, as shown, and by any suitable securing elements I8, such as rivets.

In the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the device has an additional pad I9, similar to pad I3, and preferably made of like material, which pad I9 Y may be connected to the lower portion of the plate I4 by any suitable securing elements 20, such as rivets. This pad'l9 is adapted to be pressed against the segment 5, the same as the pad I3and is spaced from the pad I3 so as to afford a spanning portion or lap of the segment 5 between the padsV I3 and I9 which when pressed against the axle I will be curved to conform to the curvature or contour of the axle I, as shown in Fig. l0. The pads YI3 and I9 also will act as Vborder members for the segment 5, so that as the segment 5 is pressed to and against the axle the spanning portion of the segment 5 between the pads I3 yand I9 will be held and maintained taut against the axle I. VIn the form shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4 the same effect is obtained but to a lesser degree by the lower portion of the plate I4 pressing against the segment 5, as shown in Fig. 2. l

The segments 4V and 5 are preferably of substantial widthand also'of a length approximately ,that of the length of the axle I between the end head 2| of the axle (see Fig..1) and the shouldered part 22 thereof to afford a large area surface "contactfor, supplying the lubricant at least for the full length of Vthe axle I. The device of thevprresent invention comprehends the provision of a-segment 23 of porous and fibrous material, similar to that of the segments 4 and 5, at the inner end of the segments 4 and 5 and adjacent the shoulder 22 (see Figs. l, 2.and 6), this segment 23 extending down into the oil well of the journal box 2 and having its kupper end provided with-anarc shaped portion 24 to i'lt about the inner end Vportion of the axle I adjacent the shoulder 22, and to provide upwardly extending legs or arms 25 reaching above the norm al level of the oil or the lubricant in the well of the journal box 2. The oil will also work its way by capillarity or wick action from the oil well to the arc portion 24 and the legs or arms 25 to feed oil to the axle `I particularly the lleted portion of the journal, as shown in Fig. 1. yThis segment 23 also covers the opening25 (Fig. 1), in the inner wall 21 to prevent the escape of splashed oil.

The lower end of the segment 23 is connected to an end flange 28, as by rivets 29, of a base strip 30 lying on the bottom of the journal box 2 and Y under the segment 4, and extending toward the outer end portion of the journal box 2 (see Fig. 1) where it has a curved upper end portion 3| to lie adjacent to and upon the lower curved outer end wall 32 'of the well part of thejournal box 2, as shown in Fig. 1. The bail I0, as shown in Fig. 1,

the outer end portion of the journal `box 2, sub- Y stantally as shown in Fig. 1, so as to prevent escape of oil when splashed or the like.

The opening at the outerend of the journal box is normally closed by a door 35 (Fig. I) according lto usualpractice.

' such as that of segments 4 and 5, having its lower end 40 extending down into the lower end of the chamber 38, and being provided with an opening 4I for receiving 'the shouldered'portion of the shaft or axle I. Atthe'lower end of the segment 39 is attached a resilient piece or 'strip 42 such as a steel spring (see Figs. '1 rand'8) by any suitable securing elements 43, such as rivets, the strip 42 being normally bowed to react against the wall 36 to constantly press the segment 39 against the wall 21 to maintain it closed or sealed from entry of dust, dirt and the like. The segment 39because of the nature of its material will also carry up oil by capillary action to the shouldered portion of the axle I and thus assist in spreading the oil so that it will crawl over to the axle part I. Any dirt or dust or the like that might find its way through the opening 31 will be held back by the segment 39 and prevented from having access to the axle I.

In use the device is located in the Well of the journal box 2 beneath the axle I, as shown in Fig. 1, with the segment 4 on the bottom of the journal box 2, that is in the well, and over the strip 30. To insert the device the segment 5 is pressed down against the resilience of the spring I5, substantially parallel to the base segment 4 and then inserted in place under the axle I and over the strip 30, after this strip 30 has been located in place on the bottom of the journal box 2 with the segment 2i!Y against the shoulder 22 and spanning the inner end of the axle I. The segment 5is then permitted to expand by the force of the spring IB to be pressed up'against .the axle I, as shown in particular in Figsf2 and 10. The spring I6 will so press up against the plate I 4 as to cause the latter to press at its upper portion against the reexed part I3 of the seg ment 5 and at its lower portion either directly (Fig. 4) against the segment 5 or'by way Vo f (Fig. 10) the segment or pad I9 against"`the segment 5, so as to press the intervening portion of the segment 5, in taut condition, against th axle I and in conformitywith its curvature.' To remove the device` a converse operation is followed. The bail II! is useful for vwithdrawing the device as will be apparent. The Vlubricant will be fed by capillary attraction or wick action by way of the segments to the axle to supply the lubricant over an extended area and Vfor "substantially the full lengthl of the axle. The 'spring I6 will constantly press the segment '5"'against the axle. The inner end of the segment V5 will hold -thei segment. 23 against :the shoulder i 22.` :springnlz` willV hold the segment 39 :against the -wall2L The 4segment 23 will preventl escape of The .iofr the invention it is` to be understood that the `invention is not limited thereto but comprehends other constructions, details, 'arrangements of parts, features, and the like, without departing fromthespirit of the invention.

l Having thus Adisclosed the invention, we claim:

1. A lubricating device for a journal extending` through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous fibrous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to thebase segment, a pressure plate connected to said pressing segment, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate, and reacting against said base segment to press said pressing segment against the journal. Y

2. A lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous fibrous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, a base plate on said base segment, a pressure plate connected to said pressing segment, a resilient member connected to said plates for pressing said pressing segment against the journal.

3. A lubricating device for a journal extending through an end Wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous brous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, the upper part of said pressing segment having a pad of porous fibrous material, a pressure plate connected to said pad and extending downwardly opposite the lower portion of said segment, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate and reacting against said base segment to press said pressing segment against the journal.

4. A lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous fibrous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, the upper part of said pressing segment having a pad of porous brous material, a pressure plate connected to said pad and extending downwardly opposite the lower portion of said segment, a base plate on said base segment, a resilient member connected to said plates for pressing said pressing segment against the journal.

5. A lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of` and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous fibrous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment herein described and upon the for pressing againstthe 'journal and being disposed .at anacute angle tothe base` segment, the upper part of said pressing segment having -apad ofporous brous material, a pressure plate connected `to said pad, a second pad of porous brous'material at the lowerportion of said pressure plate and located to press against said press ing segment in spaced relation to said `first pad, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate, and reacting against said base segment` to `press said pressing segment against the journal.

6.v A lubricating. device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box .having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprisinga sheet of porous brous material having a base segment; for location in the well and `an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, the upper part of said pressing segment having a pad of porous iibrous material, a pressure plate connected to said pad, a second pad of porous brous material at the lower portion of said pressure plate located to press against said pressing segment in spaced relation to said iirstl pad, a base plate on said base segment,` a resilient member connected to said plates for pressing said pressing segment against the journal.

7. A lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous fibrous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed Y at an acute angle to the base segment, a pressure plate connected to said pressing segment, a base plate on said base segment` and having an upwardly extending flange, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate and to said flange for pressing said pressing segment against the journal.

8. In a lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, the upper resilient member connected to said presser plate and reacting against said base segment to press said pressing segment against the journal.

9. In a lubricating device for a journal extending through an end wall of and into a journal box having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending, segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, the upper part of said pressing segment `having a pad of porous material, an intermediate part of said pressing segment having a pad of porous material in spaced relation to said rst mentioned pad, a pressure plate connected to said pads, a

base plate on said base segment, a resilient `memtending through an end wall of and into a journal kbox having a well below the journal for holding a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous material having a base segment for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed -at an acute angle to the base segment, a pressure plate connected at its upperpart to the upper part` of said pressing segment and extending downwardly opposite a lower portion of .the pressing segment, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate and extending down Vto and reacting against said base segment to ing a lubricant, comprising a sheet of porous matem'al having a base segment'for location in the well and an upwardly extending segment for pressing against the journal and being disposed at an acute angle to the base segment, a pressure plate connected at its upper part to the upper part of said pressing segment and extending downwardly opposite a lower portion of the pressing segment, a resilient member connected to said pressure plate and extending down to and reacting against said base segment; to press said pressing segment against the journal, a base plate on said base segment, a resilient member connected to said plates for pressing said pressing segment against the journal.

EDWARD C. JEFFERS.

MARTIN C. JEFFERS. 

